August 31, 2019

Day of Thanks

One of my favorite techniques of all times is the Joseph's Coat technique and these feathers are the perfect stamp to show case it.  The Day of Thanks and the Gather Together stamp sets in the Holiday Catalogare going to be favorites of mine, I am sure!!

For some reason the fall colors just seem to work better for me when using this technique.  It may be because they are the colors I used when I first did it, but they seem to blend better together than some other combinations.

Stamps: Day of Thanks, Gather Together

Cardstock: Very Vanilla Thick, Cajun Craze, very Vanilla

Ink: Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Daffodil Delight, 

Mango Melody,  Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie

Accessories:  Versamark, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Brayer

Today is going to be a busy busy day!!!  I am leaving here as soon as I am done posting this to meet Julie and Jason and Hanna and Jake and his parents in Mt. Pleasant on the square to go to the craft show that is held there during Old Threshers.  When we are done with that, they will all go onto the grounds of Old Threshers for the rest of the day and I will head off to Iowa City to the first football game and tailgate of the season.  Since it is a night game it worked perfectly to be able to do both things!!!!!  GO HAWKS!!!!! 

💛🖤💛🖤💛🖤💛🖤💛🖤

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

August 30, 2019

Free Skate

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful . . . then gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous . . . is the only way to describe this designer series paper . . . Feels Like Frost.  One side has a beautiful winter scene and the other side is silver foil with designs drawn in.  Absolutely astounding in person!!

This is one of the cards I took for our shoebox swap on Saturday night at Stamping School.  Once again the paper does most of the work for you!!! 

Stamps: Free Skate, Frosted Foliage

Cardstock: Seaside Spray, Whisper White, Silver Foil

Designer Series Paper: Feels Like Frost

Ink: Memento Black

Accessories:  Frosted Frames Dies, Versamark, 

Clear Embossing Powder mixed with Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, 

Heat Tool, Seaside Spray 1/4" Metallic Ribbon, 

Timeless Label Punch, Mini Glue Dots, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

I made progress on getting things stamped up and put away, but I still have more to go.  I will be working on that again this morning and then taking a break this afternoon to watch the Cubs!!  Maybe I can get some things stamped up so that I can put them together during the game!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

August 29, 2019

Beautiful Day

I just love this designer series paper and this card, which comes from a blog I follow, Stamp With Amy, showcases it perfectly.

I know everybody needs birthday cards and this one would be very easy to make up with different designer series papers and colors of card stock!! Super simple and you have them ready to go when you need them.

Stamps: Beautiful Day

Cardstock: Mossy Meadow, Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: See a Silhouette

Ink: Mossy Meadow

Accessories:  Stitched Rectangle Shapes Dies, Linen Thread, 

Rhinestone Basic Jewels, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

The agenda for today is the same old same old . . . finishing up packets and then watching the Cubs tonight.  My hope is to go on to some new things but I told myself I would not go on to new until I had all of the other stuff stamped up and put away.  So far I am holding true to that!!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!

August 28, 2019

Perfectly Plaid

Friday night at Stamping School we had a shoebox swap.  We made ten cards that night and swapped 23 more so I have tons of new ideas!!  This is the card I took as my swap.  It uses the same idea as this card with the Tasteful Backgrounds dies.

The basic layout came from a card I made at one of Susie's events, I just changed up the colors.

Stamps: Perfectly Plaid

Cardstock: Whisper White Thick, Shaded Spruce, Real Red, Whisper White: 

Ink: Real Red

Stampin' Blends:  Crushed Curry Dark

Accessories: Tasteful Background Dies, 

Shaded Spruce/Gold 3/8" Striped Ribbon, Basic 

Rhinestone Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals

I got quite a bit done yesterday but I still have a lot of stuff to get done from past stamp nights.  I didn't realize how much I had let it get stacked up . . . but I wouldn't trade my travels this summer fort anything!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

August 27, 2019

Band Together

I am not sure that I have ever seen many blue flowers, but this card that I saw on a blog by North Shore Stamper, really caught my eye.  The Pretty Peacock new In Color is fast becoming one of my favorites.

The little accent lines are from a new stamp in the Holiday Catalog called Countdown to Christmas.  If the comments I heard from stampers last night are anything to go by, other people must have liked blue flowers as well.

Stamps: Back Together, Christmas Countdown

Cardstock: Pretty Peacock, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Pretty Peacock, Memento Black

Stampin' Blends:  Pretty Peacock Combo Pack, Soft Sea Foam Combo Pack

I am still on my mission to finish all of the stamp packets from the last several stamp nights.  I guess I was out and about a lot this summer and did not keep up with my leftover packets.  I think I can get them all done today and then tomorrow I can go on to a couple of projects I am making for Hanna for her school.  

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

August 26, 2019

Hoot Hoot Hooray

One of the things I totally missed in my excitement of the new catalog was the Beginner's Brochure.  Of course I knew we had one, but I did not realize that it had some completely different stamp sets in it.  Hoot Hoot Hooray is one of those stamp sets.

I don't need baby card very often, but I do like to have a couple in my stash. This is one of the cards everyone will be making at Make-It-Monday.

Stamps: Hoot Hoot Hooray

Cardstock: Whisper White Thick, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: Brights 6" X 6"

Ink: Memento Black

Stampin' Blends:  Daffodil Delight Combo Pack, Crumb Cake Combo Pack,

 Soft Suede Combo Pack, Basic Black Combo Pack

Accessories:Stitched Shapes Dies, Layering Circles Dies, 

Whisper White Baker's Twine, Classic Label Punch, 

Triple Banner Punch, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

I got home from Stamping School yesterday about 4:15 or so and promptly put my leg up and rested!!!  It is still feeling good this morning so maybe we have turned the corner!!  I have a few things to finish up for Make-It-Monday, and then I would like to finally get the rest of the left-over packets from the last couple of stamp nights stamped and assembled!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

August 25, 2019

Lots of Cheer

When I first saw this stamp set in the catalog it reminded me of the marshmallow Christmas ornaments that my mom would get me for Christmas, so I knew I needed to have it.  It wasn't until making this card at one of Susie's events that I realized they were presents!!  But I still love it!!

This is one of the cards everyone stamping with me this week will be making!! It does show off one of the new products in the Holiday Catalog . . . the Snowflake Sequins.

Stamps: Lots of Cheer

Cardstock: Pretty Peacock, Whisper White, Noble Peacock Foil

Designer Series Paper: Noble Peacock

Ink: Memento Black, Pretty Peacock 

Stampin' Blends:  Light Pretty Peacock, Light Smoky Slate, 

Light Pumpkin Pie, Light Pool Party

Accessories:  Stitched Rectangle Shapes Dies, Stitched Shapes Dies, 

Snowflake Sequins (new in September), Tombow Glue, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

We had a great time yesterday at Stamping School and I am coming home with lots of new techniques and ideas to share with you in the coming months!! Last night some of us had a shoe box swap and we made 18 more cards so my card stash is complete again!!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

August 24, 2019

God's Peace

We made it to Illinois and the Champaign just fine.  Out first activity was a shoebox swap last night where we swapped 33 cards.  I am coming home with a  lot of good ideas.  Tonight we are having another shoebox swap and this is one of the cards I brought.

This Wrapped in Plaid Designer Series Paper is absolutely awesome.  It does not show in the photo but the gold lines are shiny. 

Stamps: God's Peace, Light and Peace

Cardstock: Shaded Spruce, Whisper Whte, Gold Fool

Designer Series Paper: Wrapped in Plaid

Ink: Memento Black

Stampin' Blends:  Cherry Cobbler Combo Pack, 

Shaded Spruce Combo Pack, Daffodil Delight Combo

Accessories:  Layering Circles Framelits, Gold Faceted Gems

We are off as soon as I am done with this to learn all kinds of Stampin' techniques.

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

August 23, 2019

Floral Essence

This beautiful card was one we made at the demo meeting on Saturday.  I am sorry I have no idea who brought it but I sure do love it!!

In fact, it is one of the cards everyone will be making at Make-It-Monday next week.

Stamps: Floral Essence

Cardstock: Merry Merlot, Very Vanilla

Designer Series Paper: Pressed Petals

Ink: Merry Merlot

Accessories:  Stitched Labels Dies, Stitched Shapes Dies, 

Stitched Rectangle Dies, Butterfly Duet Punch,

Braided Linen, Clear Wink Of Stella, Basic Rhinestone Jewels, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

For the first time in six years I am heading off to school today, too . . . stamping school that is.  I am spending the weekend in Champaign/Urbana with other demonstrators making all kinds of wonderful things with new Holiday Catalog products.  I can't wait to share!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

August 22, 2019

Itty Bitty Christmas

The products in the Holiday Catalog are absolutely awesome. Susie provided this shoebox swap card for us to make when we were in New York.  It uses another new stamp set . . . Itty Bitty Christmas and the designer series paper from the Wonderful Time of the Year Product Medley Suite.

How awesome that the ornaments are a punch pack . . .  two full size ornament punches . . . much easier to use than the dies!!!

Stamps: Itty Bitty Christmas

Cardstock: Real Red, Old Olive, Whisper White, Gold Foil

Designer Series Paper: Wonderful Time Of The Year

Ink: Old Olive

Accessories:  Layering  Squares Dies, Sprig Punch, 

Gleaming Ornaments Punch Pack, Real Red 3/8" Cotton Ribbon, 

Glue Dots, Stampin' Dimensionals

Swaps are totally done and sitting by the door waiting to be loaded into the car.  I am amazed that I actually got them done yesterday!! I did something that I have not done in over 30 years . . . go to a laundromat!!  My dryer decided it did not want to heat yesterday and I had two loads of wet clothes before I discovered that.  Since it was wet and damp yesterday and I had no clothespins anyway, hanging them outside was not an option, so away I went. I have a couple more loads of laundry to do today so more time will be spent there.  It will be the end of next week before someone can come and look at it!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

August 21, 2019

Most Wonderful Time of the Year Product Medley

One of the new products that we had a chance to play with when we were in New York is the product medley . . . Most Wonderful Time of the Year.  The designer series paper in this medley is pretty awesome as are the embellishments.

The photos give this card a yellowish tint but I can assure you it is bright white with Real Red and Old Olive as the Christmas colors . . . one of my favorite combinations for Christmas cards.

Accessories: Most Wonderful Time of the Year Product Medley

I made great headway yesterday on my swaps for this weekend as well as making travel arrangements for two more trips . . . one in November and one in December.  Today I hope to finish up my swaps and also to get all of the leftover packets from past Make-It-Mondays stamped up and put together.

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

August 20, 2019

Notes of Kindness Card Kit

I am usually not a kit person but the ones in the catalog this year are really pretty awesome!!  This is another on of the kits I finished when I was in Indianapolis.

The kit comes complete with everything you need including the stamp set, clear block, ink spot, dimensionals, and envelopes.

You make five of each of these cards for a total of 20 cards.  They are a little smaller than normal size cards, but still perfect for mailing.  I did find that they are great for travel stamping!!!

I am hoping to get a good start on some swaps for this weekend and also a start on planning the next Make-It-Monday.  A rainy day is always good for stamping!! 

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

August 19, 2019

Perfectly Plaid

I am sitting here today with mixed feelings reflecting on my teaching career and on the one hand being very thankful I am not in Back To School workshops, but on the other hand kind of sad that I will not being seeing 20 or so bright smiling little faces in a couple of days.  So I will instead focus on stamping!!  

This is the shoebox swap I took on Saturday to Susie's demo meeting.  It is with a new stamp set that will see a lot of love in the future . . . Wrapped in Plaid.

Stamps: Wrapped In Paid, Tiny Keepsakes

Cardstock: Whisper White Thick, Shaded Spruce, Whisper White

Ink: Shaded Spruce

Accessories:Stitched Nested Labels Dies, Pine Tree Punch, 

Linen Thread, Stampin' Dimensionals

While I could not bring myself to just sit yesterday, I did actually stay in my recliner and do something that I hate to do . . . sort scraps!!  I can now say that my scraps are all sorted and newly organized.  When we were in New York I saw the way Rory organized her scraps in job ticket holders.  

So I came home and ordered some and they have just been sitting there. Yesterday seemed like the day to do something about them, so I did.

They are all now perfectly organized . . . the trick will be to keep them that way!!

As soon as I am done posting this I am out the door for another appointment for my leg . . . what I do after that totally depends on what they say!!  I am hoping to run some errands but if they say to stay off of it for a while longer I will come back home to my book and recliner.

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

August 18, 2019

Perfectly Plaid

Are you ready for some sneak peeks of new Holiday Catalog products??  I have some for you!!  I went for a short while yesterday to Susie's to a demonstrator get together and this was one of my swaps.  When Susie and I were stuck in Chicago on our way home from New York I asked her if she thought this die looked at all like poinsettias.  We decided it did so of course I had to try it!!

 

I paired it with a new embossing folder and a new stamp set . . . Wrapped In Plaid.  I have also used the new stamp set . . . Frosted Foliage on the bottom red piece although you can't see it very well in the photo.

It is a easel card and the poinsettia strip on the inside is from another new stamp set . . . Christmas Countdown.

Stamps: Perfectly Plaid, Christmas Countdown, Frosted Foliage

Cardstock: Old Olive, Real Red, Gold Foil, Whisper White

Ink: Real Red

Accessories:  Tasteful Backgrounds Dies, Hammered Metal 

3D Embossing Folder, 

Story Label Punch, Gold Faceted Gems, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

Books and baseball are calling my name today!!  I just checked out a new book from the digital library last night and the Cubs are playing tonight so I think my day is planned.

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

August 17, 2019

Rooted In Nature

Back again with another thinking of you card from an order a couple of months ago.  Rooted in Nature is the perfect set for that.

This was the card that sold me on Pretty Peacock.  It is a beautiful shade of blue green.

Stamps: Rooted In Nature

Cardstock: Granny Apple Green, Pretty Peacock, Whisper White

Ink: Granny Apple Green, Pretty Peacock, Early Espresso Marker

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

August 16, 2019

Free As A Bird 

The second technique we worked with last night at Technique/Stamp Club was Colored Embossing Lines.  We have worked with coloring embossing lines before but not with  the colored pencils.

It was amazing to me how much more vivid the colors were after we wiped them off with a paper towel.  This card comes from Pinterest but I am not sure who was the original poster.

Stamps: Free as A Bird

Cardstock: Daffodil Delight, Basic Black, Coastal Cabana, Whisper White

Ink: Old Olive

Accessories:  Stitched Nested Labels Dies, Scripty 3D Embossing Folder, 

Versamark, White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Watercolor Color Pencils, 

Old Olive/Pretty Peacock 3/8" Reversible Ribbon, 

Timeless Label Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Although this will be very difficult for me, I am spending most of the day off of my feet, other than taking John to a doctor appointment this morning. When I went to my own appointment yesterday afternoon, I was told it would help with the healing . . . in other words she said I have been on the go too much and on my feet and not giving it a chance to heal.  Hopefully when I go back Monday, she will say something different.

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

August 15, 2019

Waterfront

Since I split my Technique/Stamp Club into two groups it rolls around twice as often . . . and today is the day.  This Technique Group has been with me for quite a while so I am always looking for new things to share.  Today we are going to work with the  Pigments Sprinkles that are new in the Annual Idea Book and catalog.

I had someone ask me on Monday night how a particular card was made that was featured in the catalog.  After figuring out how it was done, I decided it would be a perfect new technique for tonight.  This is my take on the catalog card.

Stamps: Waterfront

Cardstock: Very Vanilla

Designer Series Paper: 6" X 6" Nuetrals, Perennial Essence Vellum

Ink: Soft Suede

Accessories:  Stitched Rectangle Dies, Pigment Sprinkles, 

Stampin' Spritzer, Linen Thread, Mini Glue Dots, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

I actually got quite a but of stuff done in my stamping room yesterday, even though I took several rest breaks.  Everything is read for Technique Thursday tonight, I got a dozen more cards done for Hanna to take back this weekend for the church project, and I got both of my swaps designed for a demo meeting this weekend.  I hope to get both of those completed today before heading to Iowa City for a doctor's appointment and stamp club.

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

August 14, 2019

Looking Up Card Kit

Stampin' Up! has some fantastic card kits in the Annual Idea Book and Catalog. This is another one of the kits I finished while I was in Indianapolis.

 

It is an all inclusive card kit which means that it has everything you need to finish the five designs including the stamp set, block, and ink spot.  I am not sure if I even used adhesive on these cards as they there are sticky die cuts and dimensional in the kit as well.

You receive everything you need to complete these fifteen cards.  There are also fifteen coordinating envelopes.  I made the variety exactly as shown in the kit but the sentiments are definitely interchangeable.  The sentiments are birthday, thank you, get well, congratulations and thankfulness.

I hope to spend the majority of the day in my stamping room today after resting most of yesterday.  I have technique club tomorrow night to get ready for and also a couple of swaps for a demonstrator meeting on Saturday.   I guess I will stamp as long as my leg will allow and then finish from my recliner!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

August 13, 2019

For the Love of Felt

One of the things I did while crafting in my Indianapolis hotel room was complete the kits that are in the Annual Idea Book and Catalog.  They are awesome for on-the-go crafting.

The first kit was the For the Love of Felt kit.  This kit includes all of the supplies needed to complete twelve cards . . . four of each of these designs. The fun felt flowers and layers add texture and dimension to the cards.

This kit does have a stamp set that coordinates with it.  Here are the twelve cards and the cute box that comes with the kit!!

Stamps: For the Love of Felt

Ink: Calypso Coral, Daffodil delight, Pear Pizzazz, Sahara Sand, Shaded Spruce

Accessories:  For the Love of Felt Kit

Today is going to be a take it easy day!!  I am in the middle of a good mystery book so I may just sit with my feet up and read all day!!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

August 12, 2019

Daisy Lane

One last card from our New York trip . . . . this one was supplied by Dawn as a shoebox swap. The color combination in this one is really absolutely gorgeous . . . .much better in person than in the photo.

I did not do a very good job of getting my layers on evenly, but it is a very forgiving card and hides some of your mistakes.

Stamps: Daisy Lane

Cardstock: Balmy Blue, Early EspressoVery Vanilla

Ink: Balmy Blue, Gorgeous Grape, 

Crushed Curry, Early Espresso

Accessories:  etched Rectangle Dies,  Lace Embossing Folder, 

Medium Daisy Punch, 1/2"Circle Punch

Julie and I made good time on our return trip from Indianapolis and I was actually home by early afternoon . . . in enough time to see the Cubs come back and win their game yesterday.  Everything is packed and ready to go for tonight . . . just sitting by the door and waiting for me to load the car between the raindrops.

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

August 11, 2019

Band Together

Do you need a super simple card to show someone they are amazing??  Then here is the card for you.  It also comes from the Paper Pixie blog.

This is another one of the cards that everyone will be making on Monday night.  Again, the designer series paper does most of the work.

Stamps: Band Together

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Garden Green, Whisper White

Designer Series Paper: Garden Lane

Ink: Early Espresso

Accessories:  Detailed Band Dies, Linen Thread, 

Stampin' Dimensionals

By the time most of you are reading this, Julie and I will be on our way home from Indianapolis. We spent the day yesterday looking around quaint little neighborhoods and doing some antiquing along the way.  We should be home by mid-afternoon so I can finish getting things ready for Monday night.

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!

August 10, 2019

Beautiful Friendship

I have recently started following another stamping blog . . . Paper Pixie.  I found this beautiful birthday card there.  It is super simple, but with the DistINKtive stamp it turns out perfect every time!!

This is another one of the cards everyone will be making on Monday night.  I hope you will join me to make your own!!

Stamps: Beautiful Friendship

Cardstock: Rococo Rose, Basic Black, Whisper White

Ink: Rococo Rose, Pear Pizzazz, Memento Black

Accessories:  Rhinestone Basic Jewels

Last night Julie and I explored around Indianapolis a little bit.  We went and saw the motor speedway and ate dinner at a great little restaurant around there.  Today we are going to do a little more exploring, although I don't really know what.  I am sure we will find something interesting to do!!

Every day is a gift . . . make the most of the gift you have been given today!!

Happy Stamping!!